the republicans and democrats have to come up with a deal to cut the deficit. if not, billions in automatic federal cuts could affect jobs in d.c., maryland, and virginia. tom fitzgerald is back from capitol hill and i understand a lot of talk, no action. >> reporter: unfortunately, that is true, brian. even though this deadline kicks in in eight days and there is a lot to be done here, congress went ahead with the recess this week. that means that not since last friday has there been any action on the house or the senate side. with hundreds of thousands of jobs in our area on the line here, one top economist is telling us tonight if the sequestration goes forward,